The Seventh Sunday of Easter - Online Worship - May 16, 2021

The Lord is risen!
The Lord is risen indeed!

Christ is risen!
Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!

There’s a sweet, Sweet Spirit in this place,
And I know that it’s The Spirit of The Lord;
There are sweet expressions on each face,
And I know they feel the presence of The Lord.

refrain:
Sweet Holy Spirit,
Sweet heavenly Dove,
Stay right here with us,
Filling us with your love;
And for these blessings
We lift our hearts in praise;
Without a doubt we’ll know
That we have been revived,
When we shall leave this place.

(repeat entire song)

Today we celebrate Jesus is alive; there is a sweet, sweet Spirit in this place, and we are alive and anew as we share the treasured gifts of prayer and hope in living grace, so we worship in the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Friends in faith: In the glory of Easter, Jesus is alive to listen to our every cry. Let us take a moment of silence to share with the Lord our sins and those times we have failed to turn to him in prayer.

(silence for reflection)

Friends, God’s grace is alive; you are alive and anew in The Risen Christ. In the abundance of his steadfast love, Jesus saves; Jesus forgives you all your sins. Trust as the Lord hears his children praying; you have a friend in Jesus, so forever, take everything to God in prayer!

Loving and faithful God, your Son Jesus prayed the world might know him, and his followers might be one in unity. As Jesus prayed on our behalf, help us fold our hands to talk with you, to share with you, to pray to you, for ourselves and for the needs of others. As the Easter season concludes later this week, raise us up again, to be alive and anew, in the hope and grace we share with one and all thanks to your resurrection and living grace. In The Risen Christ, we pray. Amen.

Jesus prayed for his disciples, saying, “I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have believed that you sent me. I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them in your name that you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost except the one destined to be lost, so that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth.”

(New Revised Standard Version)

ACTS 1:15-17, 21-26; 1 JOHN 5:9-13; JOHN 17:6-19

We all need people to talk to.  Some of us need to talk more than others.  Some of us try to keep everything tucked deep inside.  Sooner or later, we all need to know we can talk to someone.  We may have different reasons for talking to people - passing along information, showing concern or support, making known our needs, thanking each other.  At its simplest, prayer is talking.  Prayer at its most powerful is talking with The Savior.  As the hope and joy of Easter continue, today we hear in John, Jesus praying to the Father on behalf of his disciples.  Jesus knew who he could talk to.  He shared with The Father everything on his heart.  Trust you are alive and anew, as Jesus says, "I am asking on their behalf."  Let Jesus pray for you.  Trust when you need someone to talk to, you are alive and anew in living grace, to talk to Jesus, about anything, any time! 

1. We all need people to talk to.  Prayer at its simplest is talking.  Prayer at its most powerful is being alive and anew to talk with The Savior.

A. Conversation is two way - talking and listening.  Prayer is no different, we are alive and anew, to talk, to listen.
John 17:6-19

B. Once we start talking, start praying, we may be so alive and anew, we never run out of things to say.
Acts 1:21-26; John 17:6-9,11,19

i. passing along information.

ii. confessing

iii. asking on behalf of ourselves

iv. asking on behalf of others; praying for others

v. decision making

vi. giving thanks

vii. giving praise and honor and glory

viii. surrendering

C.     Trust prayer helps, and `prayer helps;’ raising you up. Acts 1:21-26

i. Prayer helps us.

a. Prayer helps us know we are never alone.  

b. Prayer helps us know someone, The One, is always listening.  

c. Prayer helps us even when we see the answer we want is maybe not always the answer, or God's answer.

ii. If you need help with prayer, help getting started, try these `prayer helps.'

a. The news - the news you see and hear.

b. Music - let the melody and lyrics lead you.

c. The Bible - The Psalms, a book of songs and prayers; much of scripture, written responsively.

d. Meditation, Prayer, require practice; `just do it.’

D. Talking raises us up, building relationships.
1 John 5:10-13  

i. Prayer builds our relationship with The Savior.

ii. Prayer builds our relationship between faith and prayer.

2. Prayer at its most powerful raises us up to be alive and anew, talking with The Savior, talking with Who wants to talk with us.  John 17:9

A. Trust God raised Jesus from the dead to say, "I am asking on their behalf," to raise you up!  Let Jesus pray for you and raise up your every need to The Father!

B. Listen to The One who is listening.  Listen to all The Risen Christ is saying.  Jesus will never run out of things to tell you!

C. As the celebration of Easter continues, as the fifty days of Easter prepare to come to an end, believe you are alive and anew in living grace, trust you can talk with The Risen Savior, about anything, any time, for Christ is risen, Christ is risen indeed!

Offering is available for our indoor services. Find a Lord of Life with a volunteer bucket to deposit offering in person as you leave worship today. If you find yourself wanting to offer your gifts to Lord of Life, you can do so online using the link below. You can also drop offering at anytime in our secure mailbox at Lord of Life located in the parking lot.

vs. 1
What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry,
Ev’rything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit;
Oh, what needless pain we bear
All because we do not carry,
Ev’rything to God in prayer.

vs. 2
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged –
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our ev’ry weakness –
Take it to the Lord in prayer.

vs. 3
Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge –
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you?
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
In his arms he’ll take and shield you;
You will find a solace there.

...as we pray to you, living Jesus,

The Spirit, intercedes for us, 
With sighs too deep
For words to express,
Oh, oh, oh, ...

All these things and whatever else you see we need, grant to us we pray, for into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy, through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Risen Lord and Savior.
Amen.

The peace of The Risen Christ be with you always.
And also with you.

Holy Communion will take place after the closing Benediction. If you are not worshipping with us in person but would like to receive Communion, we will be offering Drive Through Communion at our building at 16200 Dodd Lane, Lakeville, Minnesota, following our indoor service. Drive Through Communion will be available between 10:15am & 10:30am.

In order to better serve you in this troubling times, the way we receive Communion has changed slightly. You will be offered a self-contained Communion serving. Each capsule has two layers. The first layer is a thin, clear, cellophane layer which reveals the host. Under the second layer you will find the alcohol free juice. Volunteers will be happy to take you waste after you receive Communion.

In the night in which he was betrayed our Lord Jesus took bread and gave thanks; broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat, this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.” Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.”

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name,
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us;
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
Forever and ever. Amen.

The Risen Lord bless you and keep you. The Risen Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Risen Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace, for you are alive and anew, right here, in the living grace of Jesus Christ. In the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Christ is risen!
Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Let us go in the peace of the living Christ, alive and anew, celebrating the love of God, and serving The Risen Lord of life.
Thanks be to God! Alleluia!

As I went down in the river to pray,
Studying about that good old way,
And who should wear the starry crown,
Good Lord, show me the way.
O sisters, let’s go down,
Let’s go down, come on down,
O sisters, let’s go down,
Down in the river to pray.

As I went down in the river to pray,
Studying about that good old way,
And who should wear the robe & crown,
Good Lord, show me the way.
O brothers, let’s go down,
Let’s go down, come on down,
O brothers, let’s go down,
Down in the river to pray.

As I went down in the river to pray,
Studying about that good old way,
And who should wear the starry crown,
Good Lord, show me the way.
O fathers, let’s go down,
Let’s go down, come on down,
O fathers, let’s go down,
Down in the river to pray.

As I went down in the river to pray,
Studying about that good old way,
And who should wear the robe & crown,
Good Lord, show me the way.
O mothers, let’s go down,
Let’s go down, come on down,
O mothers, let’s go down,
Down in the river to pray.

As I went down in the river to pray,
Studying about that good old way,
And who should wear the starry crown,
Good Lord, show me the way.
O sinners, let’s go down,
Let’s go down, come on down,
O sinners, let’s go down,
Down in the river to pray.

As I went down in the river to pray,
Studying about that good old way,
And who should wear the robe & crown,
Good Lord, show me the way.

vs. 1
How lovely is
Your dwelling place,
O Lord almighty!
My soul doth long,
And even faints for You.
For here my heart
Is satisfied
Within Your presence.
I sing beneath
The shadow of Your wings.

refrain:
Better is one day in Your courts,
Better is one day in Your house,
Better is one day in Your courts,
Than thousands elsewhere!
Better is one day in Your courts,
Better is one day in Your house,
Better is one day in Your courts,
Than thousands elsewhere!

Than thousands elsewhere.

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Follow us on facebook to watch our services live on Lord of Life LIVE! Watch with us live at 9:30am on Sundays, or rewatch at your own convenience!

Join us next Sunday, May 23, 9:30 a.m., as we celebrate, The Day of Pentecost, “Feel The Rush of The Wind In The Grace of Jesus Christ!” Worship to include a Children’s Message and a Sermon from Pastor Jamie! Worship to be 30 minutes, and to conclude with Holy Communion! Join us in-person or via our live stream efforts on our Facebook page, under “videos.”

As we share worship in this new way, we are seeking volunteers to assist with greeting, ushering, serving communion, live streaming, AV ministry, set up, clean up, worship leaders, and more! You can access details and ways to sign up on our website and Facebook page! Thank you!

All who proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, are welcome to God’s table of grace as we share Holy Communion. Communion will be offered to you as you exit the sanctuary, as we share pre-packaged single servings of communion, including a wafer and grape juice. Carefully pull back the first tab to expose the host, the body of Christ, given for you; then pull back the second tab to expose the blood of Christ, shed for you! Please ask for assistance or clarification as you are served!

For those sharing their generosity today, we thank you for your faithful giving! Offering is collected in baskets by the ushers as you exit the building.

For those who are not able to join us for worship, you are invited to receive drive-through communion, available Sundays, 10:15-10:30 a.m. at the front curb near the church entrance.

We hope having the service provided for you in this way, will touch you, comfort you, reassure you, and grace you in some way! If you believe others you know would be blessed to receive this bulletin, the sermon notes, or our live stream links, please forward these to them.

In this time when we are committed to safety and social distancing, please trust we are equally committed to keeping us socially and spiritually connected! On behalf of the Kingdom of God, thank you for the ways you make God and neighbor first!

From everyone on every level of leadership and service, we continue to pray for you and to give thanks to God for each of you! Please contact Pastor Jamie if he can serve you in any way: jamie.thompson@lordoflifemn.org

We pray The Holy Spirit breathes anew on us to be God’s people and to be God’s Church, as together we make known and we trust anew God’s gifts of hope, peace, justice, clarity, calm, and comfort forever break forth in new ways for you and your loved ones, today, and as we share every gift of God’s light, love, and grace!

Acknowledgments for today’s service include:

Litany of Hope & Prayer, Alive & Anew, In Living Grace, written based on Psalm 5. “Prayer of The Day,” “Lord’s Prayer,” “Post-Communion Blessing, Prayer, & Benediction,” based on the LBW. © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship (LBW) and With One Voice Hymnal Supplement © 1995 Augsburg Publishing House, Minneapolis & Board of Publication, Lutheran Church In America, Philadelphia; and Evangelical Lutheran Worship © 2006 Augsburg Fortress, Minneapolis, MN. Used with permission. “Be Not Afraid” © 1975, 1978, Robert J. Dufford, S.J. & OCP, OL #80666 “Above All” © 1999 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music, CCLI #2672885 “Sweet, Sweet Spirit” © 1962, 1990 Manna Music, Inc. OL #94905 “Jesus Loves Me” © Words and Music Public Domain, CCLI #4771887 “What a Friend We Have In Jesus” © Words and Music Public Domain, OL #94919 “The Spirit Intercedes For Us” © 1989 Dakota Road Music, OL #62627 “Down to the River to Pray” © Words and Music Public Domain , & this arr. by Sinshack © 2007 Musicnotes, Inc. “Better Is One Day” © 1995 Thankyou Music CCLI #1097451All rights reserved. All songs used with permission. CCLI License #1380826 & OneLicense #A-724016.